The Paraguayans prevailed 2-1, a result that is not entirely bad for the Argentines
Melgarejo and Cardozo scored for the locals, while Armoa put the visitors ahead first
The striker Óscar ‘Tacuara’ Cardozo signed this Thursday the winning goal for 2-1 of Freedom about Tiger in the first leg of the play-off for a place in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana, although the result does not seem like a bad deal for the Argentine team ahead of the return. The Paraguayan team was surprised by an opponent who made them suffer more than necessary, who displayed great defensive work and showed that they had a clear idea in their game.
The Chilean referee Cristian Garay became the protagonist in the match against disallow two goals, one for each team, after consulting the VAR. First, he annulled an action by the Paraguayan Blas Armoa in the first minutes of the game by verifying a violation in midfield after the start of the play. And later he did the same by annulling the maneuver that the midfielder Lorenzo Melgarejo concluded.
The first goal of the match was exactly converted Armoa, in the 35th minute, taking advantage of a pass through Lucas Menossi’s hole and defining a cross to Martín Silva’s goal. Gumamero tried to have possession of the ball, but he did not look comfortable on the field, with repeated defensive problems.
In the second half, the local team showed more character, corrected mistakes and forced the Matador to be on their ground. Equality came in ’51 through Melgarejowho took advantage of a precise cross into the heart of the area by Héctor Villalba to define a cross for Gonzálo Marinelli’s goal.
Argentine coach Daniel Garnero removed Roque Santa Cruz from the field in the 78th minute and brought in the incombustible Cardozo. ‘Tacuara’, 40, received a cross from Iván Piris and defined with a header in the 88th minute.
Tigre was able to equalize near the end through striker Mateo Retegui, but his shot went wide of the local goal. The tie will be decided next Thursday in Buenos Aires and the winner will meet in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana with the Brazilian club Fortaleza.